Committee on Microbiological Safety

The Office of Biological Safety facilitates the Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS). COMS is a standing faculty committee that reviews all research involving recombinant DNA as well as work involving biohazards at Harvard and its 16 affiliated institutions. The Office provides the administrative support for the Committee and the technical review of COMS applications. The Office also supports the biosafety programs at these institutions by providing additional risk assessment as well as establishing policies and procedures.

The Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS), along with the affiliated Institutional Biosafety Officers, is pleased to announce that the electronic research management system to streamline COMS processes. e-COMS is now live and accepting electronic registrations! The system should greatly smooth the COMS application and renewal process and will now allow you to submit, maintain and renew your COMS registration(s) online. Effective today, all new registrations and amendments must be submitted through the new online system. COMS has developed a quick reference guide and e-COMS fundamentals training to help Principal Investigators and other laboratory staff navigate through the new electronic submission process.

BSO-hosted training will be available at all of the affiliated institutions on a regular basis. For further details regarding training opportunities click here.

To consolidate user log-ins across university-wide, e-COMS will be utilizing the Harvard University ID (HUID) number for system access. If you do not have a HUID number you can obtain one by filling out an application.